5 best air conditioners 2025 UK: We tested the best portable AC units for the hottest days of the year

IT'S warm in the UK at the moment and we're not even at the end of March.

While we wouldn't wish it otherwise, summer isn't far off and thoughts are turning to the best portable air conditioners to see us through potential heatwaves.

Last year many parts of the country saw temperatures of over 30°C, but UK homes with built-in air conditioners are few and far between – this is the UK after all and we don't see temperatures warranting such appliances.

Luckily for us, portable air conditioners provide a solution.

They can be wheeled out and set up to cool a hot room by several degrees, reducing the ambient temperature to a more comfortable level.

Considering a portable air conditioner should last many summers, it's an investment worth making to ensure you keep your cool.

Read on for our tried and tested selection of the best portable air conditioners available in 2025.

Best air conditioners at a glance:

• Best all-around air conditioner: De'Longhi Pinguino PACN90 Eco Silent
• Fastest cooling: AEG Comfort 6000
• Best for small rooms: MeacoCool 7000BTU Portable Air conditioner
• Best budget air conditioner: Honeywell Portable Air Conditioner

How we tested

Our reviewers tested the air conditioners in their homes, making use of each appliance’s functions, such as timer, different power levels, remote control and where applicable, fan, heater and dehumidifier modes.

A couple of models could even be controlled via wifi.

Some models tested required window kits (included), while others didn’t, simply requiring users to position the extractor hose out of a window.

Testers considered several factors including how well the air conditioners cooled the space, how quickly, how easy they were to operate and how noisy they were which is especially important when set up in a bedroom.

Best portable air conditioners for 2025

MeacoCool 7000BTU Portable Air Conditioner – MC7000

MeacoCool 7000BTU Portable Air conditioner – MC7000, £287.85 (was £344.95) from Meaco

This Meaco air conditioner is an updated version of the one our tester reviewed, but apart from looking slightly different and offering wifi capability, it offers the same functionality.

It not only reduces the temperature of the air but also the humidity, which helps you feel less sticky in the heat.

You can control the appliance via the remote control or wifi, and choose from temperatures between 17°C and 35°C.

There's also a 24-hour timer you can set in advance depending on your needs.

For maximum benefit you should start the air conditioner a while before entering the room, that way it's already cool when you go in there – especially useful in the bedroom at night.

There’s also a sleep mode function that reduces the fan speed and noise level to 53dB (usually 65dB), making sure you sleep without interruption.

The MeacoCool 7000BTU comes with window kits to suit two different window designs and it’s on wheels so is easy to move around.

It's suitable for rooms from 12 and 22m² and comes with a three-year warranty for added peace of mind.

Read our full Meaco air conditioner review.

Weight: 20.5kg Power: 780W Noise level: 65dB max Dimensions: 701x350x348 mm Warranty: Three years

De'Longhi Pinguino PACN90 Eco Silent Air Conditioner

De'Longhi Pinguino PAC N90 Eco Silent Air Contitioner, £419.99 (was £579.99) from Airconcentre

Pros: Easy set-up, quiet and effective, good temperature control, works as an air conditioner and dehumidifier

Cons: Heavy and difficult to take upstairs, not ideal for all window types

Rating: 5/5

De'Longhi's Pinguino PAC N90 portable air conditioning unit gets an A rating for energy efficiency and has received plenty of five-star reviews, so we were keen to put it to the test.

It measures 44.9 x 39.5 x 75cm and is pretty bulky and very heavy, so be aware of this when planning where it's going to go in your home.

It moves around easily on wheels, but you might need assistance to carry it upstairs.

The device was very easy to set up – you only need to connect the adaptors to the air hose and the back of the unit, and you're good to go. The air hose then needs to be positioned so the hot air blows out of a window.

The digital control is really clear and easy to use, with three modes: air conditioning, fan and dehumidifier. You can select the fan speed and choose to have maximum or medium power or to make the unit silent.

It's also possible to control the temperature and use the timer to programme the unit to switch on and off at certain times to maximise its efficiency.

We tried the De'Longhi Pinguino out in a hot loft bedroom, and it was very effective at keeping the room cool and comfortable in a sweltering summer heatwave.

We used the unit to cool down the room during the evening and turned it off overnight, but you could leave it on as it's fairly quiet (maximum of 64 decibels) and shouldn't disturb your sleep.

The only issue was that it was challenging to use with a skylight window as we had to raise the hose to reach the window while keeping it on a flat surface as recommended for safety. Plus, we needed to block the window gap at the bottom to prevent the hot air from flowing back into the room.

For most windows, this wouldn't be such a problem, and the unit should work effectively. However, the ideal solution would be to install the unit permanently with a hole through a wall and the instruction manual talks you through how to do this.

Overall, we were very satisfied with how well the De'Longhi Pinguino was able to cool a large space, and we found it to be unobtrusive and quiet.

We also liked that the unit provided a clear and constant update of the room temperature and that you're able to set a timer and change the settings easily from the unit or with the remote control.

Weight: 30kg Power: 2.4kW Noise level: 64dB Dimensions: 17.7 x 15.6 x 29.5cm Warranty: Limited

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AEG Comfort 6000

AEG Comfort 6000, £679.99 from AEG

Pros: Easy setup, quick cooling, brilliant app

Cons: Expensive, heavy

Rating: 5/5

This AEG air conditioner was given a real test over a couple of weeks in a London flat that rarely dips below 25°C in the summer.

A combination of large windows and a south-facing wall meant the Comfort 6000 had its work cut out, but it rose to the challenge and quickly cooled a large 26°C living room down to a much more comfortable 21°C in around 20 minutes.

Getting the AEG unit set up was easy (except for the bit where we carried it from the street to the apartment – at 30kg, it's very heavy!)

Once out of the box, it's pretty much plug-and-play. The only bit of installation required is attaching the extractor hose to the back of the unit and pointing it out of a window.

Now, this didn't work in every window; the hose couldn't reach the tilt-only windows in the flat we tested it in, so it had to go out of the French windows on the balcony.

As with all portable air conditioners, the extractor hose (collapsed in the picture above) is a bit of an eyesore, but besides getting a hole drilled in your wall, there aren't a lot of alternatives; it's the price you have to pay for effective cooling.

Aside from the hose, though, the AEG is quite good-looking as larger appliances go.

It's easy to use, too, whether you choose to use the simple buttons on the control panel or connect the unit to your phone via WiFi.

The app is a great feature that allows you to control the Comfort 6000 remotely, setting the temperature wherever you are and getting a notification when the AC has done its job.

It's got a few other features, too, including a powerful fan and a dehumidifier mode (which requires the attachment of the supplied hose to collect the moisture), which makes the AEG a do-it-all appliance.

In all, we're fans of this air conditioner: it works how it should, and if you can stomach the price, you won't be disappointed.

Weight: 33.5kg Power: 3.4kW Noise level: 64dB Dimensions: 70.5×47.2×38.3cm Warranty: Two years

Honeywell 9000 BTU 3 in 1 Portable Air Conditioner

Honeywell 9000 BTU 3 in 1 Portable Air Conditioner, £289.99 (was £499.99) from Airconcentre

Pros: Sleek look, smart features, multiple modes

Cons: Setting up smart features is a bit of a faff, odd smell when you first turn it on, heavy

Rating: 4/5

The Honeywell Portable Air Conditioner certainly makes a good first impression.

It's sleek, unassuming and extremely easy to set up; you simply slide it out of the box, plug it in, and you're ready to use its most basic features. If you want to move it upstairs, you might need a partner, though: it's not dainty, at 71.5cm tall and 30kg.

To get it set up as a fully-fledged air conditioner, you need to plug in the air hose, but Honeywell provides easy-to-follow instructions to get that sorted. Like most air conditioners, it's best suited for sliding windows; if you don't have them, you can just stick the hose out of your casement window.

The remote control is super handy for when you can't quite make it off of the sofa, and it can be conveniently controlled by the LCD screen.

Like many of the units in this list, this is an air conditioner that doubles up as a fan and a dehumidifier, which is extremely useful for drying laundry, and means that you can still stay cool without having an ugly hose sticking out of the window (we did notice a bit of a fishy smell when we first used the fan setting, but it quickly dissipated).

Weight: 28kg Power: 1kW Noise Level: 65db Dimensions: 36 x 71.5 x 44cm

Devola Master 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner With Cooling & Heating

Devola Master 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner With Cooling & Heating, £339.80 (was £379.95) from Devola

Pros: Easy to use, decent temperature range, easy to wheel around, different modes, heating function

Cons: Complicated to install, doesn’t fit all windows, difficult to place

Rating: 3/5

The Devola Portable Air Conditioner is a great solution if you’d like a more heavy-duty cooler/heater combo that also has multiple functions.

At first, installing the air conditioner took a bit more time as the instructions weren’t clear on how to assemble the exhaust hose and window kit.

Deciphering the instructions was tricky and we did find that it doesn’t fit on some windows in the house.

We couldn’t get the window to close properly. It wasn’t a bother as we wouldn’t leave it on without being present in the house, and it wouldn’t matter as much if it was placed on the second floor.

Although it has an extending hose, it's tricky to find a location to place it if you live in a small space as it needs to be near or next to a window and can’t be put near heating sources or objects that could block its outlet.

Bigger spaces may not have as much of an issue, but we eventually placed it in an empty spot underneath a window.

The LED display functions, buttons and remote control make it very simple to use and alternate between the different modes: a cool mode, dehumidifier, fan and heat. The remote control was also easy to use and great for those lazy sofa days.

The different modes provide a lot of versatility; the dehumidifier function was ideal for drying clothes, while the fan instantly cooled down a room when the temperature warmed up.

The heating fan was pleasant, and we found that it was a gradual heat without being too drying.

Despite being small in size, it’s fairly powerful and instantaneously spreads air across the living room.

Although the exhaust hose isn’t aesthetically pleasing, it does make for a powerful air conditioner and its energy efficiency makes it a great choice for continual use during the summer.

Weight: 25kg Power: 1.1kW Noise level: 65dB Dimensions: 701x350x348 mm Warranty: Two years

Best portable air conditioners FAQs

Navigate the FAQs here:

• How do portable air conditioners work?
• Are portable air conditioners any good?
• Which air conditioner is best?
• How much does it cost to run a portable air conditioner in the UK?
• How do you clean a portable air conditioner?
• Do portable air conditioners need to be vented?

How do portable air conditioners work?

Portable air conditioners suck in warm air from the space they’re in and then cool this air within the unit before releasing it back into the room.

The warm air passes over evaporator coils containing refrigerant to cool the air; this is then blown back into the room, reducing the temperature.

The heated refrigerant is then also cooled and the resulting hot air from that process is expelled outside through a hose. This is why portable air conditioners must always be vented through a window or patio door.

As the warm air cools, moisture is also removed and this collects in a reservoir which the user then empties, though a plastic tube may be supplied with the unit for this purpose also.

With some portable air conditioner units you can position the exhaust hose out of an open window, with others you need to attach a kit to the window frame. This may be supplied with the appliance or purchased separately.

Are portable air conditioners any good?

Portable air conditioners are effective at cooling a room and are a lot cheaper than installing a permanent air conditioning system in your home.

How quickly an air conditioner cools the ambient temperature will depend on how powerful it is and the size of the room where it is being used.

Retailers specify the maximum room size for any given product. A larger space will require a more powerful machine, so measure the room before buying and select accordingly.

Which air conditioner is best?

In the UK, where the weather only warrants air conditioning for a small part of the year, buying a portable air conditioner is more cost-effective than paying for and fitting an air conditioning system.

A portable unit with wheels means you can move it easily between rooms.

If you're likely to want to use the air conditioner upstairs, say in the bedroom overnight, then the most lightweight model you can find will be best.

You might also want to go for a model with a timer so it can automatically switch off while you're sleeping, or find a model with a remote control so you don't have to get out of bed to switch it off.

You also need to consider the size of the room you will be cooling as buying a cheaper model designed for a smaller-sized room will be a false economy in the long run.

Individual models usually state the maximum size of the room or conservatory they should be used in.

Brands like Meaco, De'Longhi and AEG are all well-known for delivering excellent cooling results and have serious authority in the appliance world.

Lesser-known companies and specific air-con specialists can also produce great results at an affordable price, just do your research before parting with your cash.

How much does it cost to run a portable air conditioner in the UK?

The cost of running a portable air conditioner varies depending on its size – so a 7,000 BTU model will cost less to run than a 10,000 BTU version.

How hot the room is will also have an effect, as the warmer it is the more energy the appliance will use to reach your desired temperature and the longer you will need to run it.

The cost per hour will also depend on the age of your air conditioner, as newer appliances are more energy efficient.

Meaco estimates its MeacoCool 7000BTU Portable Air conditioner – reviewed above – costs just 22p per hour to run, so for nine hours per day that’s £1.98 or £13.86 over a week.

Currently one unit of electricity costs 27.03p per kWh so a 9,000 BTU air conditioner would cost just under 27p per hour to run, whereas a 10,000 BTU air conditioner would cost around 30p per hour.

How do you clean a portable air conditioner?

A portable air conditioner contains filters that collect dust as warm air is sucked into the machine so these must be removed and cleaned regularly.

How often you need to do this will be specified in the user manual for your particular unit, but you will need to clean the filters every couple of weeks if you use your air conditioner regularly.

Use a vacuum cleaner to remove loose dust, or wash the filters in warm water and leave them to dry naturally.

Some models have disposable filters that need to be replaced, but a damp cloth should be enough to clean fingerprints or marks on the machine.

You should check the drainage tank regularly, as water collects there, and empty this as per the manufacturer's instructions.

On some air conditioners the collected water evaporates so there's no need for manual drainage.

Do portable air conditioners need to be vented?

In short, yes. You need some way to expel the heat build-up in the air conditioner caused by the cooling process.

If this is not vented outside it will affect how well the unit performs and the air in the room will not be cooled to the temperature you want.

The machine will also use more energy to reach the set temperature, costing you more.

Not venting your air conditioner could also damage or cause it to overheat.

Venting through a window, French or sliding doors are the usual ways of expelling hot air from an air conditioner.